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FIFA to consider Ferdinand case

October 27, 2003 21:28 IST

Potential punishments for England international defender Rio Ferdinand, who missed a drug test in September, will be one of the topics discussed by FIFA's sports medical committee on Tuesday.

The impact on football of the newly-revealed and formerly undetectable drug tetrahydrogestrinone (THG) will also be on the agenda along with another 25 cases and issues of doping-related cases from around the world.

Ferdinand has claimed he forgot to take the test at Manchester United's training ground at Carrington on September 23 but faces a possible two-year ban from football if the English FA finds him guilty of wilfully missing a drugs test.

Dr Michel D'Hooghe, the Belgian chairman of the sports medical committee, confirmed on Monday that Ferdinand's case, and possible punishments and recommendations to the English FA, will be addressed.

"I cannot say what will be the final decision of the committee but the case of Rio Ferdinand is among a number of matters that will be discussed," D'Hooghe told Reuters.

But D'Hooghe indicated it would be unlikely that any action will be taken by FIFA until the English FA judges on Ferdinand's case.

"We will look at the case and how it has been addressed already, but there will be no decisions announced or recommendations made until after the meeting," he added.

"There are a number of options available but I will not try to predict what is discussed. This meeting has been planned for a long time and there are another 25 issues to be looked at.

"We will not only be talking about the issue of Rio Ferdinand and the issue of THG is another important matter that will be on the agenda."

Ferdinand was dropped from England's final Euro 2004 qualifier against Turkey on October 11 after it emerged that the defender had missed the test but has continued playing club football for Manchester United.

The English FA have held talks with Ferdinand but have to make a verdict on their investigations.


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